And you thought we were all done with that hormone thing! Wrong--but exciting, too.

I've just finished reading a book by Michael E. Platt, M.D. called The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones: How I Lost My: Fatigue, Hot Flashes, ADHD, ADD, Fribromyalgia, PMS, Osteoporosis, Weight, Sexual Dysfunction, Anger, Migraines...

If there is one outstanding testimonial that established Dr. Platt's credibility  for me, it is this:

... in 1979 I met an amazing physician who renewed my faith in the patient-pharmacist-physician interrelationship. That physician is Michael E. Platt, M.D., a board-certified internist.

At that time in his career he was involved with a number of long-term care facilities where his interest in anti-aging was ignited and his belief in preventive medicine was reinforced. I was servicing the pharmaceutical needs of a number of the same facilities where Dr. Platt was attending. I had immediately taken note that at the time when the national average of drugs for nursing home residents was nine per patient, his patients were on almost no drugs.

(From the Foward, p.xiii, by Mort Farina, R.Ph., compounding pharmacist)

My daughter and I are both going to pay Dr. Platt a visit at his clinic in California in March. Why? Because we are both at stages in our lives, albeit quite different ages and stages, where we desire to work with health care professionals who are genuinely interested in helping us achieve a higher quality of life. A physician who will truly listen and not brush aside our concerns about depression, fatigue, mood swings, weight gain and weight swings. A physician who will join his skills, training and experience with our own and not patronize us when it comes to our own interest in the root cause of some of our health issues (vs. the symptoms, each with its matching prescription medication).

I feel optimistic after reading The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones because I've discovered a whole sub-culture of traditional medicine that is practicing, and has for decades, integrative medicine. Health care professionals who are as interested in preventive health care as they are in healing health care--and who strive to guide us to wellness as naturally as possible.

To see more about Dr. Platt, go to his web site at www.drplatt.com.

Joy in health,
Kate

Kate Williams
Joy In Health Program, coach and wellness counselor
Achieve Health Northwest
Contact: joyinhealth@comcast.net

Comments

[Sylvia Matterand]

I've read this book too, and didn't want to travel to So Cal to find solutions. So I found a compounding pharmacist and asked her to refer me to local healthcare providers who are familiar with this testing and treatment. She referred me to a great Naturopath in Snohomish (still a long drive, but more do-able than So Cal!) and she has been helping me on my journey to more balanced hormones, including my thyroid.

I saw her in March, 2008 and she began me on a bio-identical hormone cream and once she received my thyroid test results began me on some natural thyroid treatments, too. I have much more energy and feel much better.

Just last week (end of July, 2008) I saw mer for a follow-up appointment. She did a blood draw to see where we were at and if the treatments need adjusting at all. I'm anxiously awaiting her call and her conclusions.

I'm glad that there is hope for improvement and that I've experienced so much improvement already. I'm also glad I was able to find help more locally. It would be great if I could find any closer (Skagit County), but in the meantime, I will make the drive to Snohomish.

What I can't believe is that for years I asked my OB / GYN and my general care provider about my thyroid. They always just ran one test and always read it as "normal". So this year, I requested the T3, T4, and TSH tests (the latter is the one that was always previously done). The lab screwed up doing the T3 and T4 but even with just the TSH results, my Naturopath was able to figure out I needed a boost. The MDs would have continued to read those results as "normal" and not treat me. So I'm glad I'm receiving treatment and that it makes a difference to my energy level, I'm not cold all the time and I feel like I have the energy to do things I need to do and want to do. That wasn't true, prior to the thyroid. Most extremely, the year prior, less extremely, before that, way back, even as long ago as 20 years ago, I requested help.

[Barbara at BodyLogicMD]

It is important to use a highly specialized physician who uses a quality compounding pharmacy.

http://www.bodylogicmd.com/what-it-takes-to-become-a-bodylogicmd-physician

http://www.bodylogicmd.com/compounding-pharmacy-for-women

http://www.bodylogicmd.com/measuring-hormone-levels

[Jeffrey]

"Travis Deuson, M.D. earned his medical degree from Harvard Medical School" - http://www.bodylogicmd.com/physicians/dr-travis-deuson

I was looking through the physicians provided above, and Barbara is right ;). I am very interested in testing my hormone levels in the near future and will be taking you up on the recommendation to read, "The Miracle of Bio-Identical Hormones", thanks Kate!